Northern Region (Ghana)

Northern Region, Dagbon
Region

Location of Northern Region in Ghana

Districts of Northern region, Dagbon
Country Ghana
Capital Tamale
Districts 20
Government
 • Regional Minister Limuna Mohammed Muniru
Area[1]
 • Total 70,384 km2 (27,175 sq mi)
Population (2010 Census)[2]
 • Total 2,479,461
 • Density 35/km2 (91/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)
 • Year 2013
 • Per capita $5,150
GDP (Nominal)
 • Year 2013
 • Per capita $2,500
Time zone GMT
Area code(s) 037
ISO 3166 code GH-NP

The Northern Region is located in North Ghana. It is the largest of ten regions coverings an area of 70,384 square kilometers or 31 percent of Ghana's area . Northern Region is divided into 26 districts. The Northern Region's capital is Tamale.[1]

Geography and climate

Location and size

The Northern Region is precisely located in the Kingdom of Dagbon and the Northern region is bordered on the north by the Upper West region and the Upper East region, on the east by the eastern Ghana-Togo international border, on the south by the Black Volta River and the Volta region, and on the north-west by the Upper West region and Burkina Faso, and on the west by the western Ghana-Ivory Coast international border. Northern region is the largest region in total area, and is made up of 20 districts.

Climate and Vegetation

A baobab tree

The Northern Region is much drier than southern areas of Ghana, due to its proximity to the Sahel, and the Sahara. The vegetation consists predominantly of grassland, especially savanna with clusters of drought-resistant trees such as baobabs or acacias. Between January and March is the wet season, with an average annual rainfall of 750 to 1050 mm (30 to 40 inches). The dry season is between about July and December. The highest temperatures are reached at the end of the dry season, the lowest in December and January. However, the hot Harmattan wind from the Sahara blows frequently between December and the beginning of February. The temperatures can vary between 14 °C (59 °F) at night and 40 °C (104 °F) during the day.

Tourism

Elephants at Mole National Park

Parks

Economy

Agribusiness Factory in Tamale, Northern region. Agriculturist workers at Agriculture Factory in Tamale, Northern region.

More than 75% of the economically active population are agricultural. The low population density is partly caused by emigration.

Demographics

The Northern Region has a low density, and along with the official language of English most inhabitants (52%) speak a language of the Oti–Volta subfamily in the Niger–Congo languages.

Districts

The political administration of the region is through the local government system. Under this administration system, the region is divided into 20 districts.[1] Each District, Municipal or Metropolitan Area, is administered by a Chief Executive, representing the central government but deriving authority from an Assembly headed by a presiding member elected from among the members themselves.

Districts in Northern region, Dagbon
# District Capital Population
1 Bole Bole
2 Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo Bunkpurugu
3 Central Gonja Buipe
4 Chereponi Chereponi
5 East Gonja Salaga
6 East Mamprusi Gambaga
7 Gushegu Gushegu
8 Karaga Karaga
9 Kpandai Kpandai
10 Nanumba North Bimbilla
11 Nanumba South Wulensi
12 Saboba Saboba
13 Savelugu-Nanton Savelugu
14 Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Sawla
15 Tamale Metropolitan Tamale
16 Tolon Tolon
17 West Gonja Damongo
18 West Mamprusi Walewale
19 Yendi Municipal Yendi
20 Zabzugu Zabzugu
21 Kumbungu Kumbungu
22 Mankragu/ Moagduri Yagaba
23 Sagnarigu Sagnarigu
24 Mion Sang
25 Tatale/Sanguli Tatale
26 North Gonja Daboya
Total

Famous citizens

Famous native citizens of Northern region, Dagbon
# Citizen Settlement
1 John Dramani Mahama Damongo
2 Aliu Mahama Yendi
3 Wakaso Tamale
4 Majeed Waris Tamale
5 Eric Robertson Yaw. I Tamale

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Northern Region". GhanaDistricts.com. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  2. ↑ "Northern Region – Population" (PDF). statsghana.gov.gh. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  Burkina Faso & Upper West Upper West & Upper East Upper East
 Ivory Coast  Togo
   Northern  
Black Volta River Black Volta River Black Volta River & Volta

Coordinates: 9°30′N 1°00′W / 9.500°N 1.000°W / 9.500; -1.000

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